Q and A with incoming Manatee Superintendent Rick Mills

Published: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 11:13 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 11:13 p.m.

Rick Mills may be licensed to scuba dive, but he’s found little time for diving as the Chief Executive Officer of Minneapolis Public Schools.

“I haven’t been able to do much of that up here,” Mills said from Minnesota after the Manatee County School Board named him their choice for superintendent Wednesday.

Mills may find little time to explore hobbies as he prepares to take on a district that has been plagued by problems in finance, student achievement and public support after a major budget deficit and the resignation of former superintendent Tim McGonegal.

The retired lieutenant colonel, whose 24 years of military experience far outweighs his time spent in public education, impressed citizens search groups and school board with a record of adherence to structure and efficiency.

Mills began his career as a commander in the United States Army, and worked as a West Point assistant professor and a Deputy Chief for the United Nations, among other military positions.

His career took him to Jerusalem, Israel, and to Florida. He spent more than three years as a military advisor and international program director at the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

In 2000, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools convinced him to transition to education. He worked as the director of multiple chicago military academies before rising to area superintendent in 2009. He’s been the chief executive officer of Minneapolis Public Schools since July 2011.

“I’m very transparent, and I’m very direct,” Mills said by phone Friday.

In an interview with the Herald-Tribune, Mills touched on his philosophy on leadership, his plans for the district and a love for Denzel Washington.

Note: Some of the answers have been edited for space.

Q. Manatee County comes with unique challenges in budget and public trust in school leadership. Why did you want this job?

A. I feel that my leadership skills and my broad range of experiences are a well suited for the needs of the district in a leader. It is a good fit. I welcome the opportunity to lead the district to the next level and beyond through collaboration, inclusion, transparency and shared accountability by all stakeholders.

Q. What financial plans do you have for a district that recently suffered a multi-million deficit caused by a flawed budget process? Please be as specific as possible?

A. Develop a highly competent finance leadership team that has blended experience in private, public, and audit financial management. Have CFO lead current state analysis of district financial position and finance staff for appropriate financial credentials.

Create and implement a five-year long-term financial plan based on an interactive financial model that will allow district to do “what if” analysis and flexibility stress tests.

Q. After spending time in Manatee County last week, what do you see as the particular strengths of the district?

A. Our exceptional employees clearly committed to delivering a quality education to our children. Our community is very committed to the well-being of the county and school district.

Q. As an out-of-state school administrator, how do you plan to get up-to-speed on the Florida education system?

A. This will be inclusive of my 100-Day Entry Plan under the “learning component.” This includes analyzing data/student, studying district policies, Florida policies/regulations/statutes, etc.

Q. What personal success in public education are you most proud of?

A. Seeing my students get a quality education to enable them to realize their goals and dreams!

Q. What do you consider your weaknesses, as a person and as a school leader?

A. I tend to become bored with repetitive or detailed tasks and focus more on the overall objectives or big picture.

Q. What do you consider your strengths, as a person and as a school leader?

A. I enjoy taking charge and making decisions, accept difficult challenges, I’m hard-working, competitive and want to succeed, I take initiative, solve problems and take pride in getting things moving and done.

Q. Manatee County currently holds a “C” grade by the Florida Department of Education. How specifically do you plan to improve student achievement?

Long term: In 5 years — put Manatee County Schools in the top 25 percent of districts in the state of Florida.

Q. What is your favorite sport, and what teams do you cheer for?

A. Football: Pennsylvania teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State 13.

Q. You are banished to a desert island, and you can only bring three people. Who are they?

A. Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln and the winner of the last Survivor contest.

Q. Tell us about your family as well as your ties to Florida, if any?

A. I was assigned to US Central Command at MacDill AFB in Tampa. I lived in Walden Lake in Plant City. I have several friends who served at USCENTCOM and retired in the area. My brother and his family live in the Plant City area.

<p>Rick Mills may be licensed to scuba dive, but he's found little time for diving as the Chief Executive Officer of Minneapolis Public Schools.</p><p>“I haven't been able to do much of that up here,” Mills said from Minnesota after the Manatee County School Board named him their choice for superintendent Wednesday.</p><p>Mills may find little time to explore hobbies as he prepares to take on a district that has been plagued by problems in finance, student achievement and public support after a major budget deficit and the resignation of former superintendent Tim McGonegal.</p><p>The retired lieutenant colonel, whose 24 years of military experience far outweighs his time spent in public education, impressed citizens search groups and school board with a record of adherence to structure and efficiency.</p><p>Mills began his career as a commander in the United States Army, and worked as a West Point assistant professor and a Deputy Chief for the United Nations, among other military positions.</p><p>His career took him to Jerusalem, Israel, and to Florida. He spent more than three years as a military advisor and international program director at the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.</p><p>In 2000, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools convinced him to transition to education. He worked as the director of multiple chicago military academies before rising to area superintendent in 2009. He's been the chief executive officer of Minneapolis Public Schools since July 2011. </p><p>“I'm very transparent, and I'm very direct,” Mills said by phone Friday.</p><p>In an interview with the Herald-Tribune, Mills touched on his philosophy on leadership, his plans for the district and a love for Denzel Washington.</p><p>Note: Some of the answers have been edited for space.</p><p><B>Q.</b> Manatee County comes with unique challenges in budget and public trust in school leadership. Why did you want this job? </p><p><B>A.</b> I feel that my leadership skills and my broad range of experiences are a well suited for the needs of the district in a leader. It is a good fit. I welcome the opportunity to lead the district to the next level and beyond through collaboration, inclusion, transparency and shared accountability by all stakeholders.</p><p><B>Q.</b> What financial plans do you have for a district that recently suffered a multi-million deficit caused by a flawed budget process? Please be as specific as possible?</p><p><B>A.</b> Develop a highly competent finance leadership team that has blended experience in private, public, and audit financial management. Have CFO lead current state analysis of district financial position and finance staff for appropriate financial credentials. </p><p>Create and implement a five-year long-term financial plan based on an interactive financial model that will allow district to do “what if” analysis and flexibility stress tests. </p><p><B>Q.</b> After spending time in Manatee County last week, what do you see as the particular strengths of the district? </p><p><B>A.</b> Our exceptional employees clearly committed to delivering a quality education to our children. Our community is very committed to the well-being of the county and school district.</p><p><B>Q.</b> As an out-of-state school administrator, how do you plan to get up-to-speed on the Florida education system? </p><p><B>A.</b> This will be inclusive of my 100-Day Entry Plan under the “learning component.” This includes analyzing data/student, studying district policies, Florida policies/regulations/statutes, etc.</p><p><B>Q.</b> What personal success in public education are you most proud of? </p><p><B>A.</b> Seeing my students get a quality education to enable them to realize their goals and dreams!</p><p><B>Q.</b> What do you consider your weaknesses, as a person and as a school leader?</p><p><B>A.</b> I tend to become bored with repetitive or detailed tasks and focus more on the overall objectives or big picture.</p><p><B>Q.</b> What do you consider your strengths, as a person and as a school leader?</p><p><B>A.</b> I enjoy taking charge and making decisions, accept difficult challenges, I'm hard-working, competitive and want to succeed, I take initiative, solve problems and take pride in getting things moving and done.</p><p><B>Q.</b> Manatee County currently holds a “C” grade by the Florida Department of Education. How specifically do you plan to improve student achievement?</p><p><B>A.</b> Writing and implementing an academic strategic plan with measurable student achievement goals aligned to the district scorecard — then writing aligned academic department plans and business plans — finally writing school strategic plans. </p><p><B>Q.</b> What are your short-term and long-term goals for Manatee County?</p><p><B>A.</b> Short term: Implement sound fiscal practices/systems; develop and implement a highly effective leadership team; develop and implement a highly effective organizational chart; implement effective school leadership instructional teams.</p><p>Long term: In 5 years — put Manatee County Schools in the top 25 percent of districts in the state of Florida.</p><p><B>Q.</b> What is your favorite sport, and what teams do you cheer for? </p><p><B>A.</b> Football: Pennsylvania teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State 13. </p><p><B>Q.</b> You are banished to a desert island, and you can only bring three people. Who are they? </p><p><B>A.</b> Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln and the winner of the last Survivor contest. </p><p><B>Q.</b> Tell us about your family as well as your ties to Florida, if any? </p><p><B>A.</b> I was assigned to US Central Command at MacDill AFB in Tampa. I lived in Walden Lake in Plant City. I have several friends who served at USCENTCOM and retired in the area. My brother and his family live in the Plant City area.</p><p><B>Q.</b> Last movie you saw? </p><p><B>A.</b> Flight — I am a huge Denzel Washington fan.</p>